• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.66-81
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• 2021

The effects of directional fracture tensor components and first invariant of fracture tensor on deformation moduli and shear moduli of fractured rock masses is analyzed based on regression analysis performed between 3-D fracture tensor parameters and deformability of DFN blocks. Using one or two deterministic joint sets, a total of 224 3-D discrete fracture network (DFN) cube blocks were generated with various configurations of deterministic density and probabilistic size distribution. The fracture tensor parameters were calculated for each generated DFN systems. Also, deformability moduli with respect to three perpendicular direction of the DFN cube blocks were estimated based on distinct element method. The larger the first invariant of fracture tensor, the smaller the values for the deformability moduli of the DFN blocks. These deformability properties present an asymptotic pattern above the certain threshold. It is found that power-law function describes the relationship between the directional deformability moduli and the corresponding fracture tensor components estimated in same direction.

• Geotechnical Engineering
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.147-164
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• 1997

This study has the assumption that scale effects in rock mass properties are atrributed to the discontinuous and inhomogeneous nature of rock masses. In order to escape the general equivalent material approach applied to the concept of representative volume element, this study presents the new method considering irregular i oink geometry and arbitrary numbers of i oink and arbitrary joint orientations. Based on the theoretical approach, this theory is applied to a real engineering project. Showing the property variations with size of rock mass element, various numerical experiments about scale effect are conducted. Particularly, to prove the adequacy of the verification process in scale effect with nomerical method, and to investigate the detailed source of scale effect, 4 models with increas ins number of joints are tested. On the basis of the experimental results, the test results of scale effects in 3-D rock mass are presented. From these experiments the effects of the mechanical properties of rock joints on the scale effects in rock mass strength and elastic constants are discussed. To verify the mechanism of scale effects in jointed rock mass, two models with different j oink geometries are studied.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.3-12
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• 2001

This paper presents the proposed methods of DE (distinct element) modelling to estimate the stability of tunnels in jointed rock masses. First, the criterion to select the joint set(s) contributed to the discontinuous behaviour in a tunnel section is proposed. Selected joint set(s) is(are) considered to form the edges of distinct elements (rock blocks) and the others to modify the elastic properties of rock blocks. The complex DE model with the average and the deviation of joint orientation and joint length for each joint set was compared to the simple model with only the average of joint orientation and the assumption that joint length is infinite. As a result, the latter is suitable to the purpose of tunnel design because it can show the consistent behaviour of a jointed rock mass such as the locally discontinuous failure and the global anisotropic behaviour.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.317-327
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• 2024

When a non-persistent joint system is formed in a large-scale rock slope, slope failure may occur due to presence of a the stepped sliding surface. Such a surface can be divided into joint-to-joint sliding surfaces or joint-to-rock bridge sliding surfaces. In the latter case, the rock bridge provides shear resistance parallel to the joint and tensile resistance perpendicular to the joint. The load of the sliding rock can lead to failure of the rock bridge, thereby connecting the two joints at each ends of the bridge and resulting in step-path failure of the slope. If each rock bridge on a slope has the same length, the tensile strength is lower than the shear strength, resulting in the rock bridges oriented perpendicular to the joint being more prone to failure. In addition, the smaller the ratio of discontinuity spacing to length, the greater the likelihood of step-path failure. To assess the risk of stepped sliding on a rock slope with non-persistent joints, stability analysis can be performed using limit equilibrium analysis or numerical analysis. This involves constructing a step-path failure surface through a systematic discontinuity survey and analysis.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.215-230
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• 1993

In-situ rock mass demonstrates the variety of structural features, and especially the mechanical and spatial characteristics of joint (or joint system) greatly affect the deformation and fallure strength of the rock mass. In this study finite element model capable of analyzing the viscoplastic behavior of reinforced jointed rock mass has been developed based on equivalent material approach. Accuracy and reliability of the numerical model have verified by simuiating the behavior of simplified block model and comparing the results with analytic solutions. Practical applicability was also demonstrated by analyzing the time-dependent behavior of underground oil storage tunnel and assessing the reinforcement effect of rockbolt.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.331-343
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• 2003

Though the Grouting has been in use for a long time, it is still regarded as an technique rather than engineering. The study of ground improvement by grouting is rare especially in jointed rock mass. In this study, biaxial compression tests were performed in the jointed rock mass models with .ough surfBce joints assembled with blocks before and after grouting. The load-deformation curves of the jointed rock masses showed a non-linear relationship before grouting but showed a relatively linear deformaion behavior after grouting. Improvement ratio (deformation modulus after grouting/deformation modulus before grouting) decreased with increasing joint spacing and lateral stress. Improvement ratio decreased exponentially with increasing deformation modulus of the rock mass model before grouting. Three-dimensional FDM analysis was performed to a highway tunnel case using experimental data of grouted rock. The convergence of the tunnel predicted after grouting by the numerical modelling coincided with those attained from the field measurement.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.109-117
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• 2001

불연속체 해석을 이용하여 터널 안정성 해석을 수행할 경우 해석 결과는 절리 모델의 선택에 따라 달라진다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 개별요소법을 이용한 불연속체 터널 안정성 해석에 있어 BB 모델 적용시의 해석 결과와 MC 모델 적용시의 해석 결과를 비교하였다. 또한 주어진 응력 조건과 터널 형상에 따른 암반의 변형 거동을 규명하기 위하여 불연속체 해석 결과와 연속체 해석 결과를 비교하였다. 연속체 해석결과와 BB 모델을 사용한 불연속체 해석 결과는 변위 및 응력 분포는 비슷한 양상을 보이는 반면, MC 모델을 사용한 불연속체 해석결과는 이와 다른 양상을 보였다. 또한 MC 모델을 사용하여 불연속체 해석을 실시할 경우 절리의 영향을 명시적으로 고려하였음에도 불구하고 연속체 해석 결과에 비해 변위 및 최소 주응력이 더 작게 발생할 수 있음을 확인할 수 있었다. 이는 MC 모델이 실제 절리의 변형거동 특성을 현실적으로 모사할 수 없기 때문에 발생되는 결과이며, 특히 절리면의 전단거동에 무관하게 팽창각을 일정한 상수로 취급하는 MC 모델의 특성으로 인한 결과이다.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2010

This study focuses on the phenomenon that the blast damaged zone developed on rock slope surfaces can be affected by joint characteristics rather than by explosive power when the pre-splitting is applied to excavate a jointed rock slope. The characteristics of rock joints on a slope were investigated and categorized them into 4 cases. Also an image processing system has been used for comparing the distribution pattern of rock blocks. From this investigation, it was found that the rock blocks bigger than 2,000 mm occupied 42% in the case of single joint set and it showed the well efficiency of pre-splitting blast. In cases of 2~3 parallel joint sets and 2~3 intersecting joint sets are developed on rock surfaces, the rock blocks in the range of 1,000~2,000 mm occupied 43.6% and 35.8%, respectively, and it showed that the efficiency of pre-splitting was decreased. When more than 3 joint sets are randomly developed, however, the rock blocks in the range of 250~500 mm occupied 35% and there was no block bigger than 1,000 mm. This denotes that the blasting with pre-splitting was not effective. The numerical analysis using PFC2D showed that the blast damaged zone in a rock mass could be directly influenced by the pre-splitting. It is, therefore, required to investigate the discontinuity pattern on rock surfaces in advance, when the pre-splitting method is applied to excavate jointed rock slopes and to apply a flexible blating design with a consideration of the joint characteristics.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.279-288
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• 2001

Jointed rock mass can be analyzed by either continuum model or discontinuum model. Finite element method or finite difference method is mainly used for continuum modelling. Although discontinuum model is very attractive in analyzing the behavior of each block in jointed blocky rock masses, it has shortcomings such that it is difficult to investigate each joint exactly with the present technology and the amount of calculation in computer becomes trio excessive. Moreover, in case of the jointed blocky rock mass which has more than 2 dominant joint sets, it is impossible to model the behavior of each block. Therefore, a model such as ubiquitous joint model theory which assumes the rock mass as a continuum, is required. In the case of tunnels, unlike slopes, it is not easy to obtain safety factor by utilizing analysis method based on limit equilibrium method because it is difficult to assume the shape of failure surface in advance. For this reason, numerical analyses for tunnels have been limited to analyzing stability rather than in calculating the safety factor. In this study, the behavior of a tunnel excavated in jointed rock mass is analyzed numerically by using ubiquitous joint model which can incorporate 2 joint sets and a method to calculate safety factor of the tunnel numerically is presented. To this end, stress reduction technique is adopted.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2013

This paper presents the results of a two-dimensional finite element analysis of end bearing capacity of single pile installed in fractured rock mass. A number of cases were analyzed using Hoek-Brown criterion that can consider the condition of rock joints. Considering a wide range of joint conditions in which the pile is embedded into the rock, GSI was set as a main parameter. And the effects of pile diameter, unconfined compressive strength of rock and Hoek-Brown constant $m_0$ were considered. Based on parameter study, end bearing load factor graphs were suggested.